Chapter 341

Bok Hojin carefully observed the change in Jo Igwang’s expression.

“Could this be something you’re involved in?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because the missing sister seems to be your type…”

“……”

“I knew it!”

Bok Hojin let out a sigh.

A few of his close friends knew about Jo Igwang’s perverted tendencies. Bok Hojin, in particular, was Jo Igwang’s best friend, so he knew better than anyone.

When he heard Do-je’s story, the first person who came to mind was Jo Igwang.

Bok Hojin didn’t particularly see a problem with Jo Igwang’s sexual preferences.

Jo Igwang was a man who deserved to enjoy himself, and he had the ability to cover up any problems that arose.

Heroes were naturally lustful, and among the famous heroes of Jianghu, it was rare to find one who wasn’t.

“Where is this Do-je?”

“If I had figured that out, would I have come empty-handed? I would have caught him and brought him to you.”

“We’ll have to deal with him first.”

“Of course, if we don’t want any more trouble.”

“Tsk! Of all times, for some trash like Do-je to appear…”

Killing intent flickered in Jo Igwang’s eyes.

He already had a headache because of Pyo Wol, and the fact that some insignificant trash like Do-je was getting on his nerves angered him.

Jo Igwang said to Bok Hojin,

“Mobilize the Janggang Stronghold and find him.”

“How do we know where he’s hiding?”

“Where could he possibly hide in Tai Lake? At best, it would be an island within Tai Lake.”

“An island?”

“A man burning with vengeance wouldn’t have escaped outside Tai Lake. Where else could he hide from prying eyes but an island?”

“That makes sense.”

“He must be hiding on one of the islands in Tai Lake. It shouldn’t be difficult for the Janggang Stronghold to find him.”

“Alright! I’ll take care of it.”

“Once you find him, deal with him quietly. I don’t want to waste any more energy on such a worthless man.”

“Got it!”

Just as Bok Hojin nodded,

“Young Master!”

The Steward of Cheongpyeong Manor rushed over.

“What is it?”

“We have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“Great Hero Jo Jakyung has arrived.”

“Hah!”

Jo Igwang gasped. The name the Steward mentioned carried that much weight.

Spear King Jo Jakyung.

A Martial Artist said to have reached the pinnacle with a single spear.

Aliases like Blade King, Sword King, and Spear King usually appeared once in a generation, or perhaps two.

It was a kind of inherited Alias given to the Martial Artist who best wielded the sword, blade, or spear in that era.

The fact that he had received such an Alias spoke to how outstanding Jo Jakyyung’s Spear arts were.

Most impressively, he was one of the Eight Constellations.

Seven Constellations.

The seventh star’s position did not mean his martial prowess was ranked seventh. Rather, the common consensus was that in terms of pure martial power, he was more than qualified to be in the upper ranks.

Jo Igwang and Bok Hojin hurried outside.

There stood an old Martial Artist with a full beard. The old man carrying a spear, separated into two pieces on his back, was the Spear King, Jo Jakyung.

Although age had turned his beard white, his spirit and the look in his eyes were no less than those of a young Martial Artist.

Just by facing Jo Jakyung, Jo Igwang and Bok Hojin felt their breathing become labored. The aura Jo Jakyung emanated was that powerful.

The two men hurriedly performed a Fist-Palm Salute and greeted him.

“Your grandson, Jo Igwang, greets you, Grandfather.”

“Bok Hojin of the Janggang Stronghold pays his respects to the Spear King.”

At their greetings, Jo Jakyung opened his mouth.

“It’s been a while, Igwang. I heard there was a remarkable talent in the Janggang Stronghold, and that must be you.”

“Grandfather!”

“It is an honor to meet you like this.”

Bok Hojin looked as if he didn’t know what to do with himself.

This was the first time he had seen Jo Jakyung.

No matter how renowned a talent Bok Hojin was in Jiangsu Province, he could not dare to compare himself to Jo Jakyung.

Jo Jakyung was one of the most brilliantly shining stars in all of Jianghu. Even if Bok Hojin’s father, Bok Seongwan, were to come, he would have to bow his head.

Meanwhile, Jo Igwang looked at Jo Jakyung with an anxious gaze.

‘Why did this old man suddenly show up? Did he come because he knows something?’

Jo Jakyung was a distant relative of the Namgyeong Jo Clan. Jo Jakyung was from a branch that had split off during his great-grandfather’s time.

Since they had split off many generations ago, there was almost no interaction, and even less reason to inquire about each other’s well-being.

Jo Igwang himself had only met Jo Jakyung once, ten years ago. Because of that, he held no affection for Jo Jakyung. In fact, he was afraid of Jo Jakyung’s rigid character.

Jo Jakyung had an unyielding personality that did not tolerate injustice.

Even if they shared the Jo surname and were distant relatives, he would never forgive anyone who strayed from the righteous path.

For that reason, even those with the Jo surname feared Jo Jakyung and were reluctant to get close to him.

Jo Igwang asked cautiously,

“Grandfather, what brings you here?”

“You don’t seem very happy to see me.”

“How could this grandson not be happy to see his grandfather? I am merely saying that it is unexpected to see you here.”

“Hmph! Your tongue is as glib as ever.”

“I apologize.”

“I came here because the Heavenly Opportunity is unstable.”

“Pardon? The Heavenly Opportunity, you say?”

“Yes! The Qi in this place was fluctuating with unusual instability. So I came to see for myself. Since the Namgyeong Jo Clan’s villa is here, I was hoping I could impose for a few days. Would that be alright?”

“Of course. It would be an honor for me if you would stay, Grandfather.”

“Then show me to a room. I wish to bathe and rest a little.”

“Understood. Please, come inside.”

Jo Igwang led him to the quietest place in Cheongpyeong Manor.

He had prepared a room for Jo Jakyung in a separate building, the farthest from his own quarters.

“You may stay here. I will have the servants prepare a bath for you.”

“Mm!”

Jo Jakyung nodded as if he was pleased.

The detached building, surrounded by high walls on all four sides, was exactly to Jo Jakyung’s liking. The simple, unadorned landscaping put his mind at ease.

“I wish to be alone now. You may leave.”

“Yes! Grandfather. Please rest well.”

Jo Igwang bowed his head and withdrew.

Once he was alone, Jo Jakyung’s eyes turned cold.

“Hmph! That sly look in his eyes is still the same.”

A moment ago, Jo Igwang’s eyes had been full of wariness as he looked at him.

It was the same look he had when Jo Igwang was still a boy, ten years ago. He remembered it vividly, how a young boy’s gaze could be so sly. That was why Jo Jakyung did not think well of Jo Igwang.

It was because those with such eyes rarely had a sound mind.

If they weren’t distant relatives, Jo Jakyung would never have left Jo Igwang alone.

“If I had the time, I would have educated that boy properly. It is a pity that I do not have such time.”

His claim of seeing the Heavenly Opportunity was by no means a lie.

He had been passing nearby when he read the unusually wavering Heavenly Opportunity, which was why he had no choice but to come to Tai Lake.

“Who is it? The one who shakes the Heavenly Opportunity.”

＊＊＊

Pyo Wol lay with his arm as a pillow. Jo Yuseol was lying on Pyo Wol’s chest, her chin propped on her hands.

Her white, naked body was fully exposed, but she smiled at Pyo Wol as if she wasn’t the least bit embarrassed.

“Tell me.”

“……”

“How many others have you been with besides me? Three, four, or more?”

“Who knows!”

“You womanizer.”

Jo Yuseol pouted and sat up. But it wasn’t a genuinely upset expression.

It was a world where having three wives and four concubines was permitted.

If a man was capable, it was not a fault to take several women. Rather, it was a world where a man who kept many women was treated with respect.

There was no way women would leave a man with Pyo Wol’s looks and transcendent Martial Arts alone.

Jo Yuseol put on the clothes she had taken off, one by one.

Pyo Wol, still lying on the bed, silently watched as the gorgeous clothes were added to her pure white naked body.

Once she was fully dressed, Jo Yuseol’s expression returned to its usual coldness.

She looked so frigid that it was hard to imagine she had been crying out so passionately just a moment ago.

After dressing completely, she sat in a chair and looked at Pyo Wol.

Only then did Pyo Wol also sit up and begin to get dressed.

Even though she had seen all of Pyo Wol’s naked body while they made love, Jo Yuseol blushed. She, too, had learned for the first time today that such passion was hidden within her.

“Phew!”

Jo Yuseol fanned her face with her hand to cool the heat.

In the meantime, Pyo Wol finished dressing and sat across from Jo Yuseol.

“Now, tell me. What’s the problem with your brother?”

“Since long ago, Igwang has had a very fierce and obsessive nature. He must have what he covets, and if he can’t have it, he’d rather destroy it. In many ways, he was different from ordinary people. Especially his sexual preferences…”

Jo Yuseol’s words trailed off for a moment.

Even if he was her brother, she was embarrassed to mention a man’s sexual preferences. But she soon continued calmly.

“He likes young girls. I don’t know why. But it’s true that he’s obsessed with young girls. There have been several incidents presumed to be his doing. Most of them had horrific signs of torture. But because there was no evidence, they were all vaguely dismissed.”

In that instant, Pyo Wol’s expression darkened.

He remembered something that had happened recently.

‘Do Yeon-san’s younger sister was also raped and murdered.’

Her body bore horrific signs of torture. It was so brutally mangled that a person with a weak stomach would vomit just from looking at it.

No one in their right mind could desecrate a corpse like that.

Even at that moment, Jo Yuseol’s words continued.

“The problem is that my father is somewhat aware of this.”

“And he just lets it be?”

“This is a family where common sense doesn’t apply. My father, despite the many problems, thinks that only a son can lead the Clan. So not only is he passive about solving the problem, he’s desperate to cover it up. He probably doesn’t even realize that’s making the problem worse.”

A subtle anger was laced in Jo Yuseol’s voice.

It had been quite a long time since her father, Jo Sumok, had learned of Jo Igwang’s problem. Perhaps he had known even before she did. Yet, for years, he had done nothing and let Jo Igwang be.

Jo Yuseol could not forgive her father and Jo Igwang.

“I can no longer stand by and watch the Clan be ruined by an incompetent father and a cruel son. I think it would be better for Jianghu if I became the Clan Head and led the Jo Clan.”

“Is that really the only reason? The reason you want to become the Clan Head of the Jo Clan?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t seem that pure.”

“Hoho! What a funny thing to say. Can a pure person even survive in Jianghu? Everyone lives for their own desires. I am the same. Although I was born a woman, I too want to reign at the top of Jianghu. Becoming the Clan Head of the Jo Clan is just a part of that plan.”

“Do you dream of becoming an Empress?”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

Jo Yuseol looked straight at Pyo Wol.

She had felt it when she first saw him, but her eyes held a huge ambition.

To her, even he might be nothing more than a tool to be used.

“I matured early. I had to, in order to survive in that hellish place. As I matured, I prepared. I prepared one thing after another, hiding from their eyes. Right now, my power is inferior to Igwang’s, but it will soon be reversed. If you help me, that period will be shortened even more.”

“Do you want to kill Igwang?”

“Desperately. If you kill him for me, you can enjoy everything I possess. It won’t be a bad offer for you either.”

Jo Yuseol’s offer was attractive enough to tempt any man. She knew how beautiful and charming she was. But she couldn’t be sure that her charm would work on Pyo Wol.

Pyo Wol’s gaze was so cold it was hard to believe they had shared such a passionate time just moments before.

Jo Yuseol spoke with a desperate plea.

“Make me an Empress. And become my man. Then you will be the man of the Empress.”